Radon testing is easy and inexpensive. There are two options: purchase a do-it-yourself test kit or hire a radon measurement professional [5].

Do-it-yourself kits include instructions on how to set up the test and submit the results for analysis. Radon test kits can be purchased by phone, online, or from home improvement retailers. The cost of testing ranges from $25 to $75 [6].

CREA and the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) agree with Health Canada's recommendations that homeowners use a long-term test-conducted over a minimum of three months during the fall or winter months. Indoor radon levels fluctuate day-to-day, depending on the season. A three- month test is more accurate and representative of a person's annual average exposure and should be used to determine if a home's radon concentration exceeds the Canadian guideline of 200 Becquerel per cubic metre (Bq/m3).

While short-term tests exist, longer-term tests provide a more representative annual average for radon exposure.

Information on do-it-yourself radon test kits is available from Health Canada at radon@hc-sc.gc.ca or 1-866-225-0709.

For professional testing, Health Canada recommends consulting with a contractor certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). Radon-testing professionals are located throughout Canada and a list of professionals can be found on their website: http://c-nrpp.ca/ or by calling 1-855-722-6777.

WHAT IS A BECQUEREL
It is a measurement of radiation and represents one radioactive disintegration per second.